News Release

Friday, August 17, 2018

LAPD Rolls Out Another Volunteer Patrol, Literally NR18224ti

Canoga Park: The LAPD's Topanga
Police Station announced its latest effort in crime fighting: an
8-person Volunteer Community Patrol, at a morning news conference
in front of the police station. Four of the patrol force and the
two dedicated electric cars were present, and the event ended with
the cars heading out on patrol.

"There's an old adage: 'the police are the people and the people
are the police'," explained Capt. Maureen Ryan, commanding officer
of Topanga Area. "These citizen patrols will become added eyes and
ears on the street, deterring crime and reporting suspicious
activity."

Police will send the patrols into neighborhoods where property
crime is spiking; crimes like: residential burglaries, car
burglaries, and porch pirating. "These visible patrols act as force
multipliers, allowing sworn officers to address violent crime and
crimes in progress, while sleepy residential areas get patrols that
officers might not otherwise be able to provide," added Dep. Chief
Kris Pitcher, who oversees the entire San Fernando Valley, and was
captain at Devonshire Area when the first volunteer patrols were
started several years ago.

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, City Council District 3, greeted all
the volunteers. "I am proud to help launch and financially support
the Volunteer Patrol Program at the LAPD Topanga Station," he told
the group. "Now, all three divisions in my district have more eyes
and ears in the community; folks who are empowered and trained to
help our law enforcement and report crime on our streets."